On the Horizon: New Generation British Painters
April 7 – May 12, 2012 • BritWeek Reception April 28
Marine Contemporary | 1733-A Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
310 399 0294 | info@marinecontemporary.com
 Opening Reception: April 7 • 6 - 9 PM
Britweek Reception: April 28 • 6 - 8 PM
A figurative group show curated by Alexandra Ray and Catherine Loewe, in collaboration with Marine Contemporary, brings a slice of current talent from the London Art scene to the West Coast. On The Horizon: New Generation British Painters features three distinctives figurative painters:
Over the last two years in London, Charles Saatchi set out again to show the world
what he considered the new generation artists of our time, displayed in his
impressive, touring, three part show called “Newspeak: British Art Now”. Not since
his “Sensation” show in the late 1980’s, had we seen a new decade of British
Contemporary art, boasting some of the most thematically complex and
internationally mixed progeny, all generating their take on things since the surge of
the YBA’s. Art critic Brian Sewell might argue that the YBA’s left them no useful
legacy on which to build - that merely a wave of nostalgia had filled the air, in its
sudden determination to hark back to Old Masters - but at large, critics were positive
that Saatchi had done it again. He still had the energy to make us sit up and take
note of the undeniable rousing talent from this current wave of emerging British
artists.
Taking its cue from Saatchi, “On the Horizon” seeks to present three artists from this
new generation. Stepping away from the shock factor stunts of the YBA’s, Fry, Dix
and Mendes stand out by responding to their art historical heritage, with a more
traditional painterly outlook. Leaking an undeniably British quality, their work
expands on and re-invents today’s issues, exploring classicism, consumerism and
the ever-growing obsession with celebrity. www.adamdix.com
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Adam Dix, Come Together, oil on panel, 25.5” x 25.5”, 2011
is interested in how technology communicates to an audience held
captive by its power. It is the exaggerated power we give to technological advances
of our century that interests Dix, as he displays his subjects in an almost retro sci-fi
manner performing rituals of religious-like worship. In fine glazes he builds scenes of
group folkloric rituals upholding the modern devices of telecommunication. Families
hover around satellite dishes, as if its an after dinner ritual in a cosy Ovaltine
commercial.
Dix received his B.A in graphics and Illustration at Middlesex College and then an
M.A at Wimbledon College of Art. Over the last 2 years Dix has participated in group
shows at the Saatchi Gallery, Summaria Lunn and Haunch of Venison in London. His
work is included in several collections, including those of Anita Zabludowicz, Fatima
Maleki and Alisdhair Willis. This is his debut exhibition in the States. www.adamdix.com
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Robert Fry, Red 11, acrylic, oil and enamel on canvas, 112” x 78”, 2012
Robert Fry’s figurative paintings delve into the psychological, mythical, and
anthropomorphic themes of human relationships. In a time where society’s energies
are often chaotic and focused outwards, Fry’s paintings look inwards at the more
intimate facets of human existence. In intensely private and raw scenarios, Fry
focuses on the internal containment of dual or multiple presences and their interplay,
in complex perspectives and abstracted layers. Pairing down amorphic shapes, Fry
denotes parts of the human body to ironically reduce his subjects to the bare
elements.
Robert Fry received a BFA Hons at Oxford Brookes University in 2002. He has had
solo shows with Alexia Goethe Gallery, London and Atelier 2 in Moscow. Most
notably he was selected for Saatchi’s “Newspeak: British Art Now”. Last year he
participated in Kunsthalle @ M+B with Francois Ghebaly Gallery, Los Angeles and he
is currently shortlisted for the John Moores painting prize. Collections include
Charles Saatchi, Mario Testino, Museum of Modern Art, Moscow. www.robertfrystudio.com
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Hugh Mendes, Mike Kelley, 10” x 14”, oil on linen, 2012
Hugh Mendes paints meticulous copies of the obituaries of noted public figures.
These are drawn from the recognizable typeface of the U.K. Guardian newspaper
and numerous British media sources. It is no coincidence that Mendes late father
himself was a news editor and the presence of yellowing piles of newspapers would
be forever etched in his childhood memory. His obsession with the business of
newspapers is a commentary on the contemporary penchant for nationalistic
preoccupation and thirst for the media. Mendes more recent “Obituary” paintings
chronicle the timeless subject of Birth and Death. He takes a defining portrait of a
public figure and immortalizes it into a memento, a 3 dimensional object, even an
icon when rendered in paint.
Hugh Mendes was born in Hostert, Germany. He attended Chelsea School of Art
and received his Masters in Painting at City and Guilds of London Art School.
Curatorial projects include “Art News” at RAID, Los Angeles, featuring artists using
newspapers in their work, including the work of Gillian Wearing and Martin Creed in
2005. He has since shown with Kenny Schachter/ ROVE in 2011 and Charlie Smith,
London in February 2012. www.hughmendes.com
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About Marine Contemporary
Established in 2011 by Claressinka Anderson, Marine Contemporary focuses on vital,
concept-led contemporary work in all media. The gallery has a particular focus on
emerging and mid-career artists from the U.S and the U.K.
Marine Contemporary is an expansion of Marine Art Salon, which was established in
2009 and continues its salon program along side Marine Contemporary, focusing on
collection-based shows in the domestic setting. Hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 11am-6pm and by appointment. Parking is
available on premises.
www.marinecontemporary.com
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